Friends of the Coast WAIVER / DISCLAIMER

Rules of Participation and Agreement of Understanding
Project = The organisation of the project where the volunteer work will take place and with whom the volunteer has registered.

1. Due to the nature of the Friends of the Coast Programme it is essential that a high level of discipline and understanding is established and maintained. For your own safety, for the safety of the others, and for the good of the Programme you are asked to carefully read, absorb and agree to the following points of understanding.
2. I understand that whilst participating in a Project, I am a guest and must abide by the laws of that land.
3. I have a comprehensive cancellation and personal health insurance that can cover any eventuality whilst participating in the Project. I have had all the relevant and recommended vaccinations. The project staff will assist if Volunteers fall ill or are injured in any way, though the costs of treatment are to be borne fully by participants and their insurance's. Participants are obliged to be adequately covered for this possibility. If, in the event that, I have not been inoculated or am not adequately insured then I agree that I in no way hold the Project, it's staff or representatives thereof responsible for any illness that occurs or injury I may sustain, or the treatment of that injury or illness, while carrying out duties or actions in association with the project or outside the boundaries of these said duties.
4. I have adequate personal financial resources for the duration of my stay and will not pose a burden on the resources of Project.
5. The immediate adherence at all times to the instructions given by any projectmember of staff, is a prerequisite to continued participation in the project, as in many situations a Volunteer will not have sufficient experience to judge situations.
6. A Volunteer is expected to adapt completely to the needs of the projects as instructed by the project manager or his / her employees.
7. Volunteers although offered a unique position in working alongside researchers, conservationists, game rangers etc. are in no way to involve themselves in issues requiring communication between management and the other employees and between management and employees and the local population, where strict codes of conduct and established procedures are in place. Contravention of this understanding will be viewed in a very serious light.
8. All Volunteers must read and familiarize themselves with the document detailing the concept, focus and details of what to expect in terms of activities, living conditions and arrangements.
9. It must be understood that all instructions and interpretation will be carried out in a language which will be specified in advance. Although total fluency of this language is not a requirement, if any Volunteer's required language is limited to the point of it being dangerous to his or her health and safety, then the project manager reserves the right to terminate or significantly alter the project content in the interests of safety.
10. Travel to and participation in this program is at the sole risk of the Volunteer, who participates under the clear understanding that the owners, Trustees, managers, and staff of the Project in no way may be held responsible for any loss, injury or death sustained by the Volunteer during the full duration of his or her stay at the project.
11. Although Volunteers are encouraged to assist the reserve to achieve public awareness during and after their visit, the reporting of certain activities is restricted and Volunteers, by participating, are bound to adhere to management wishes in this regard. Permission must be sought in advance for reports on issues indicated as sensitive.
12. Volunteers will respect the cultural values of the local population, also not to endanger the project or themselves.
13. I shall respect that some Projects will not allow to drink alcohol on the project and / or the Project premises; smoking is to be restricted to the outdoors and on some ship based projects for safety reasons also not allowed outdoors; some projects have noise restrictions in place after a certain time of the day.
14. Many Projects are joint projects with other organizations. As such we have to work on a cooperative level. If I have a problem at the project it will be resolved in a diplomatic manner, with respect deserving of those in authority at all levels of the project.
15. In the event that a Volunteer's participation is terminated by management for disciplinary reasons, no refund of contribution will be made by project, or by the Friends of the Coast Programme.
16. In the event that management, in consultation with an Volunteer, decide to terminate participation for any reason, including amongst others: health, safety, inability to cope with the environment or for any personal reasons raised by the volunteer after arrival, the repayment of any portion of the contribution to the Volunteer is at the discretion of the project management and will at no time exceed 50% of the full amount contributed.

July 2003

Source: Ecovolunteer